[BlindMath] Current strategies regarding accessible mathematics

[Shail M]

Thanks for initiating this very useful thread and providing inputs explaining various ways in which a student can read and write Math problems successfully. We have been trying to find an optimal way but haven't been successful so far. 

We primarily focused on Microsoft Word and noticed that the Equation Editor in MS Word (latest version,  not sure about the legacy version format) requires to do ALT plus Equals to show up that specific control each time, an equation has to be written. It works for a single equation but for a question involving  multiple equations, it makes the process very slow and doesn't provide an student with VI to solve the question in desired time frame as the student need to remember all the equations at the same time or otherwise, read the equation back and forth to write it down from the question sheet. Also, JAWS doesn't seems to read it properly as well unless the equation is opened in JAWS Math Viewer window. Copying and pasting the equation to next line is also a pain as partial copying is not allowed in the MS Word Math Editor. 
The Math Editor in JAWS gives an opportunity to write an equation in Latex but nothing for writing in Unicode format (which is another format supported by MS Word apart from Latex, it's way simpler than Latex though). Just to mention, there are two formats now supported by latest MS Word, Latex and Unicode. 

Math Type was mentioned before which allows to write Latex directly in MS Word but not sure if that's the optimal way either as then the student need to remember the equation in Latex format rather than the Math equivalent. 

Given, my perspective is from a high schooler, I am hoping that someone may suggest a better way such that a high schooler can perform optimally during the exams like SAT which is time bound. Though, the accommodations like extra time, reader, scribe has been added, yet the confidence that the test can be completed in required time is lacking. 

Sorry for this post as this may seem out of context of the discussion going on but hopeful that the seniors can help in this case with their experience. 

Thanks
Shail


-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of David Engebretson Jr. via BlindMath
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 9:49 AM
To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics' <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Cc: David Engebretson Jr. <accessible.engineering at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Current strategies regarding accessible mathematics

I've noticed the WCAG compliance of Overleaf is lacking. Especially in its output formats.

Kind of a bummer since that is what our professors seem to be moving to because of its collaborative features.

Thanks again for all of your commentary!
David


-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Bert Van Landeghem via BlindMath
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2022 9:27 AM
To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Bert Van Landeghem <b.vanlandeghem at sheffield.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: [BlindMath] Current strategies regarding accessible mathematics

Hello John,



I tried overleaf as well a while ago but it did not prove to be very accessible, which was acknowledged by the developers who were aware of the issues. Do you know whether or not one has made progress on this matter?



Kind regards,

Bert
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